By Daniel Bampoe
The National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has declared the use of Toyota Voxy vehicles for commercial passenger transport illegal, citing serious safety concerns linked to their design and widespread unauthorised modifications in Ghana.
The directive follows an investigation by the NRSA’s Technical Working Committee into the increasing use of the minivan as public transport, particularly after many units were converted from right-hand drive to left-hand drive.
Presenting the committee’s findings in Accra on April 8, Chairman Godwin Kafui Ayetor described the situation as a major threat to public safety, calling for urgent regulatory intervention.
According to the committee, the Toyota Voxy was originally manufactured for private family use and not designed for the demands of commercial transport.
The vehicle, they noted, is built for moderate mileage and paved road conditions, making it unsuitable for long-distance operations or rough terrain commonly encountered in Ghana.
Dr. Ayetor further explained that the risks are heightened by extensive modifications carried out on many of the vehicles.
These include alterations to suspension systems, increased vehicle height, and changes to tyres—often undertaken by unlicensed operators. Such modifications, he warned, compromise the structural integrity of the vehicle and significantly increase the risk of mechanical failure.
The committee also pointed to a broader regulatory failure, noting that many of these vehicles are unlawfully imported, improperly converted, and registered without adequate inspection.
In some cases, vehicles registered for private use are being deployed for commercial transport, further violating existing regulations.
“We have allowed thousands of unlawfully imported vehicles to enter the country, be modified without standards, and operated commercially despite not meeting safety requirements,” Dr. Ayetor stated.
In its final assessment, the committee concluded that the continued commercial use of the Toyota Voxy in its current modified form presents an unacceptable risk to road safety in Ghana.
The committee has therefore recommended strict enforcement measures, including a ban on the importation of right-hand drive vehicles, tighter regulation of vehicle conversion processes, and an immediate halt to the registration of such vehicles for commercial use.
It also called for intensified public education and broader reforms to address the misuse of private vehicles in public transport.
The NRSA is expected to review and implement these recommendations as part of ongoing efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents linked to defective and non-compliant vehicles across the country.
